PREMIER Denis Napthine has suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Liberal grassroots, with a move to parachute community services Minister Mary Wooldridge into one of Victoria’s safest Liberal seats failing.

Ms Wooldridge, whose seat of Doncaster was abolished in last year’s redistribution, lost the ballot for Kew to former Stonnington mayor Tim Smith who won by more than 40 votes.

The popular cabinet minister had the backing of the parliamentary party, the state executive and Premier Denis Napthine who was eager for her to remain on the front bench if the Coalition is re-elected in November.

In an unprecedented move, Dr Napthine even wrote to local branch members urging them to vote for Ms Wooldridge and insisting “she will win the preselection’’.

Leaving the vote at Xavier College on Sunday, Premier Napthine remained defiant saying he had thought Ms Wooldridge would win.

“I made it very clear that I supported Mary Wooldridge, that is because Mary Wooldridge is a quality candidate and a quality contributor to my cabinet and the people of Victoria and I would not shy away from my strong support for Mary Wooldridge,” he said.

“She’s put her heart and soul into this preselection.

“In my discussions with her, I’ll be encouraging Mary Wooldridge to continue her state parliamentary career.”

Dr Napthine said it was a contest between “two quality candidates” and Tim Smith would be supported by his Liberal colleagues.

But with the election only eight months away, the government will be scrambling to find a seat for Ms Wooldridge.

One option would be for her to move to the upper house and contest the Southern Metropolitan Region electorate following the resignation of Andrea Coote.

It was also thought Ms Wooldridge would be a good fit for the seat of Hawthorn held by former Premier Ted Baillieu, but he has since signalled that he will fight the November ballot.

Dr Napthine refused to be drawn on whether the former Premier should now stand aside leaving the seat of Hawthorn for Ms Wooldridge.

“What we need to do is take stock of the situation and look to the future,” he said.

Mr Smith, who was backed by former federal ministers Rod Kemp and Richard Alston as well as those aligned with powerbroker Michael Kroger said he was “truly humbled” by the outcome before he rushed away from waiting media refusing to answer questions.

Ms Wooldridge said she respected the decision and would now talk to her husband and colleagues and consider her future.

“Obviously I’m disappointed, but it’s an important part of a democracy of our party,” she said.

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